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Monday Roundup — April 2, 2018

News Roundups are posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning with quick hits on what you may have missed and what is still to come in The Beautiful Game.

From all of us here, at Philly Football Daily, we hope you enjoyed your Easter holiday.

Now here’s what you may have missed and what is still developing. And, as always, here’s to helping bring you, the Fan, up to speed and Ahead of the Game.

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Falls in Colorado

Saturday night’s result was one that saw this Editor and fellow Philly Football Daily contributor Noah Barnes progressively grab more beer cans from our respective micro-fridges.

Behind a Domonique Badji hat-trick, the Colorado Rapids handily defeated the visiting PhiladelphiaUnion 3-0. Philadelphia’s attacking front simply had no answers in Colorado’s final third and had trouble linking with the midfield.

Positives?

Well, you’ve probably heard the phrase before. Yes, the Union are certainly putting their money where their mouth is by “playing the kids,” whom fans pretty loudly called for toward the end of last season.

Philadelphia started the youngest backline in MLS history on Saturday, a backline which was headlined by the debut of 18-year-old Homegrown defender and United States Youth National Teamer Matt Real.

So, Union fans, what other positives are there, if any, to take away from Saturday’s loss? We The People Podcastwould like to hear from you, the Fan.

A lion might be considered the king of the animal kingdom, but it is arguably the laziest beast in it. Ibra was anything but lazy on his debut for LA Galaxy, bagging a brace in the Galaxy’s 4-3 win against cross-city rivals and MLS newcomers LAFC.

Ibra, 37, has coined himself everything from a god, to a lion, to Benjamin Button. From the moment the Swede entered the match, it was clear that the momentum in El Trafico was shifted, and Ibra proved to his doubters he isn’t just changing lanes.

A player who has recently changed lanes, or clubs, is former Philadelphia Union midfielder Chris Pontius,who scored on a header in the 73rd minute to bring the Galaxy back within one goal of LAFC.

Check out the rest of the highlights, below:

US Soccer

US Soccer to Host HeBelieves Summit, Tournament

On Sunday, it was announced by newly elected United States Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro that US Soccer will host a tournament and summit this Summer, in the absence of the upcoming World Cup in Russia.

Taking inspiration from the US Women’s National Team’s SheBelieves Summit and SheBelieves tournament, the USMNT will host the inaugural 2018 HeBelieves tournament and HeBelieves Summit.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cordeiro, speaking after the announcement at a press conference held on Sunday, was adamant about appeasing American soccer fans this Summer, after the USMNT’s failure to qualify for Russia.

Relax. It’s April Fools, you fools.

Global

PSG President Chooses Tuchel as Next Coach

According to a source close to ESPN FC,Paris Saint Germain owner Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has apparently shortlisted former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel to take over for current coach Unai Emery this Summer.

Per the source, Tuchel is expected to sign at least a two-year contract with the Parisians after agreeing to terms. However, according to the source, nothing has been signed just yet.

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed on Saturday that Tuchel has committed his future to another club outside of Germany, after turning the Bavarian giants down.

TF-Images/Getty Images

However, the latest reports surrounding Tuchel conflict with the recent reports by German outlet Bild, who have insisted that the league and club outside of Germany is struggling Premier League outfit Arsenal.

Thanks for reading Monday’s News Roundup. Check back here, on Wednesday morning, for the latest happening in The Beautiful Game. Cheers.